Variation in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults in Britain. An analysis from the dietary and nutritional survey of British adults

Citation
H. Billson et al., Variation in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults in Britain. An analysis from the dietary and nutritional survey of British adults, EUR J CL N, 53(12), 1999, pp. 946-952
Citations number
9
Categorie Soggetti
Endocrynology, Metabolism & Nutrition
Journal title
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
ISSN journal
09543007 → ACNP
Volume
53
Issue
12
Year of publication
1999
Pages
946 - 952
Database
ISI
SICI code
0954-3007(199912)53:12<946:VIFAVC>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
Objectives: Using a national representative sample to examine variation in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults in the UK, with particular ref erence to consumers with high and low reported intakes. Design: National representative dietary survey using 7-d weighed diet recor ds of men and women aged 16-64 y living in private households in the UK in 1986-1987. Setting: The UK. Subjects: 1087 men and 1110 women. The sample was selected by a multi-stage random probability design. The response was 70%, Subjects with low energy intake were subsequently excluded. Main outcome measures: Food group, nutrient intake, physiological measures socio-economic, demographic and behavioural characteristics. Results: Consumption of fruit and vegetables was estimated. The sample was divided by sex into four quarter groups according to fruit and vegetable co nsumption. There were significant similarities between quarter groups in fr uit and vegetable and other food intake, nutrient intake, physiological mea sures, and socia-economic, demographic and behavioural variable. The lowest consumers of fruit and vegetables had a mean intake of 738 g/week (men) an d 630 g/week (women), equivalent to 1.3 and 1.1 portion/d, respectively. Co nversely, the mean intake of both men women with the highest consumption wa s 3137 g/week (5.6 portions day). There were more than twice as many adults in the age group 16-24 located in Q1 than in Q4. The Manual social class a nd those in receipt of benefits were negatively associated with fruit and v egetable consumption. Smelters were significantly associated with low fruit and vegetable intake. Being married was associated with increased fruit an d vegetable intake and being single or divorced/separated was associated wi th low fruit and vegetable intake. Eating home grown produce was associated with high intake. Consumers who lived in London or the South-East were ass ociated with higher fruit and vegetable intake. Conclusions: The analysis draws attention to the wide variation in reported fruit and vegetable consumption among British adults. High consumers merit further investigation to elucidate practical strategies for increasing Fru it and vegetable consumption. Strategies to increase consumption should be targeted at groups most likely to include low consumers of fruits and veget ables.